Remote control system



Dec. 7, 1937. R PUDELKO 2,101,269

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Sept. 11, 1954 I III ltllllll Patented Dec.7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM RiccardPudelko, Zug, Landis & Gyr, A-G., land Switzerland, assignor to acorporation of Switzer- 5 Claims.

The present invention relates to remote control systems and moreparticularly to a novel and improved remote control system which isoperated by means of impulses transmitted over a power distributionnetwork.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in parthereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned bypractice with the invention, the same being realized and attained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in theappended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and im-- provements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawing, referred to here in and constituting a parthereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together withthe description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 7

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view partly in perspectiveshowing a typical embodiment of the invention, together with the circuitemployed therewith;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, from the rear or opposite side, of aportion of the relay and coopcrating parts; and

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the relay armature and cooperating parts.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel andimproved remote control system operating on impulses transmitted over apower distribution network and which is more reliable in its operationthan the systems heretofore generally used. A further object of theinvention is the provision of a remote control system which is operableonly upon impulses of relative long duration, andis not affected byimpulses of relatively short duration which might -be caused byextraneous disturbances or might be accidentally transmitted by thetransmitter. Still another object of the invention is the provision ofan electrically operated remote control system in which the receiver isprovided with a motor operating during the transmission of the impulseand returning to its initial position after cessation of the impulse,the motor effecting the desired function only after it has been inoperation for a predetermined period of relatively long duration.

In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the remotecontrol system is operatecl by impulses transmitted over conductors,such as the conductors of a distribution system. These impulses operatea relay to close a switch supplying power to a slowly operating motorwhich always tends to return to its initial position. Operation of themotor for a sufficient length of time operates a switch which controlsany desired apparatus. Means are also provided for preventing effectiveoperation of the motor upon its actuation by a plurality of too shortimpulses, or before it has been returned to its initial positionfollowing a proper operation and other means are provided for preventinginjury to the mechanism by too long operation of the motor.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description as well are examplary and explanatory ofthe invention but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment of the inventionas shown by the accompanying drawing, the embodiment is shown as adaptedfor operation by impulses transmitted over a two phase system. Theimpulse transmitter I is in series with the pilot wire 2, and theimpulses transmitted by it actuate the registering relays 3 and 4 whichare connected to one of the other wires 2 and 5 of the transmissionsystem.

The magnet coil '1 of a relay 8 is supplied with power from wires 2 and5 upon closure of the transmitting key 1, moving the oscillatablearmature 9 from its normal position as shown against ,stop 10, where itis normally held by spring I I, so as to cause closure of the contactsl2 and 13 in series with the windings ll of a Ferraris induction motorIS. The movable contact I2 is provided with an extension 16 cooperatingwith a pin I l on armature 9 by which the contacts l2 and [3 are openedand closed. Alternating current of suitable voltage and frequency may besupplied to the windings 14 from any suitable source through conductorsI8 and 19.

The Ferraris motor 15 is provided with a rotatable armature 20 which issecured to pinion 21 on shaft 22 and meshes with a larger gear 23 onshaft 24. Gear 23 is coupled to its shaft 24 by means of disc 25,forming with the gear 23 a friction coupling to prevent damage whichmight result from too long continued operation of the motor l5.

Means are provided for operating the main switch one step at a time froma motor wound spring and for this purpose an arm 21 is mounted on shaft24, and at one end is provided with a resilient pawl 28 adapted toengage with the teeth of the ratchet 29, which as shown has only twoteeth. Ratchet 29 is mounted on the rotatable switch operating shaft 30,which shaft is co-axial with shaft 24. Shaft 30 at its other end carriesa switch operating cam 3| adapted to close or permit opening of theswitch formed by spring mounted contacts 32 and 33. A holding block 35,fixed to shaft 39 and cooperating with leaf spring 36 is provided forreducing the amount by which the shaft need be turned and fordefinnitely positioning the cam 3|. Asembodied, ratchet 29 need be movedonly slightly more than by pawl 28 to effect operation of the switchingcam 3|, the remainder of the cam rotation being effected by spring 36.

Means are also provided for normally resetting the motor and pawl totheir initial position and for constantly urging them towards thisposition, these means also furnishing the poweroperating means for theswitching cam 3|. As embodied, a coil spring 40 has one of its endsfastened to a rigid support while the other end is attached to a gear 4|fast on shaft 24, the spring being coiled about shaft 24 so as to bewound by operation of the motor I5. After the supply of power to motor|5 has been discontinued, spring 40 is free to cause retrograde movementof the gear 23 and arm 21, thereby rotating arm 21 to operate cam 3| andresetting the pawl 28 to its initial position in which it is ready for afurther operation.

For preventing effective operation of the motor l5 by a series of tooshort impulses or until after the motor and pawl 28 have been returnedto their initial position, means are provided for preventing locking ofthe motor control switch |2, 3 in circuit closing position. As embodied,a stop pin 45 is mounted on the armature 9 of relay 8 and is adapted tocooperate with a stop lever 46 pivoted at 4'! and normally held out ofengagement with the stop pin 45 by means of cam 49 against the tensionof spring 59. Cam 49 is mounted on shaft 5| on which is also secured thegear 52 meshing with gear 4|, so that continued operation of the motorfor anybut an extremely short period of time moves cam 49 out of itsnormal position, permitting the stop lever 46 to be lifted by spring 59until it is stopped by pin 53. In this position the end of lever 46 willengage stop pin 45 preventing closure of the contacts l2, l3, andthereby further operation of the motor |5 for the time being.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

When a short impulse occurs on the transmission line, the magnet 8 isenergized and the armature 9 assumes a vertical position, therebyclosing the circuit at l2, l3 through the motor [5, starting the shaft24 counterclockwise and the shaft 5| clockwise. This would result in avery slight upward movement of the cam 49, not enough to have anyappreciable effect on the locking lever 46. Immediately upon cessationof the impulse, magnet 8 is deenergized and the spring pulls thearmature back to its original position against the stop l0, breaking thecircuit at |2, I3, and stopping the motor 20, spring 40 returning theparts to their original position. This movement is so slight as to haveno appreciable effect on member 21.

When a, succession of short impulses occurs, armature 9 would be movedat each impulse to the vertical position and would tend to return to theinoperative position of Fig. 2 as soon as the impulse ceases. However,every impulse would move cam 49 clockwise slightly and every successiveimpulse would move it a little more, so that the effect of the severalsuccessive impulses would be cumulative to raise cam 49, so that spring50 would raise the long arm of locking lever 46, causing the nose 46' oflever 46 to engage with the lug 45 and hold it, so that further short,

successive impulses would have no eflect on the motor because thelocking lever would thereby hold the armature 9 in the circuit-breakingposition.

When, however, a long impulse comes over the line, an impulse of thetype produced by 8.051181% tion of the impulse transmitter that isintended to reverse the position of member 3| and open or close theswitch 32, 33, the armature 9 instantly assumes a vertical position asbefore, closing the circuit l2, l3 through the'motor; the motor turnsthe shaft 24 counterclockwise and the shaft 5| clockwise, raising thecam 49, whereupon the nose 46' of lever 46 is positioned in the path ofl-ug 45. This occurs after armature 9 has reached the circuit closingposition. The motor continues its .operation, the arm 21 rotating in theneighborhood of until pawl 28 snaps over and'engages the lower tooth onmember 29. After the lower tooth on member 29 has been thus engaged, anyfurther movement of member 21 is prevented by member 21 engaging againsta stop 55. If, at this time, the current is still on, and therefore themotor 2| still operating, this movement is taken care of by slipp e ofthe clutch 23, 25. If the resistance oifered by the clutch is high, itmay stop the motor. As soon as the long impulse ceases, magnet 8 isdeenergized and the spring ll pulls the armature 9 back to the positionof Fig. 2, abutment 45 pushing or camming its way past the end 46' oflever 46, against the slight tension of spring 50, thereby breaking thecircuit. The circuit at l2, l3 now being broken, spring 40 turns theshaft 24 clockwise and the shaft 5| counterclockwise, causing cam 49 todepress the outer end of lever 46 and restore it to its originalposition. As the arm 21' is moved clockwise, pawl 28, in engagement withthe lower tooth on 29, moves 29 clockwise, until 35- is past deadcenter, whereupon spring 36 completes the 180 reversal of cam 3|. Arm 2]contigiues its movement until stopped by abutment 5 Contacts 32 and 33may control any desired apparatus 56 which may be supplied with powerfrom the mains 5 and 6. Inasmuch as the apparatus 56 does not form apart of the present invention, and may be any form of signal, switch,

motor or other device, the details of its conspecification is intendedto apply to impulses of the usual duration and such as might otherwisebe described as momentary, while relatively long duration is intended todescribe an impulse the duration of which might be measured in seconds.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificmechanisms shown anddescribed but departures may be made therefromwithin the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from theprinciples of the invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

What I claim is:

1. A remote control impulse receiving device including in combination arelay, an armature therefore, a motop-supplied with power under controlof the relay, a spring for returning the motor to its normal, initialposition, a main switch, a cam for controlling the main switch, a pawland ratchet drive operated by the motor for moving the cam whereby thecam is moved only after the motor has operated for a predeterminedperiod, and means engageable with said armature and controlled byoperation of the motor, for preventing operation of the motor exceptfrom a position 01 rest.

2. In a remote control device, a device to be,

the motor switch; and a latching device for said armature, operativelyconnected with the motor, for holding the motor circuit open when shortimpulses are impressed on the relay.

3. A remote control device comprising an impulse receiving relayincluding an armature, a motor and motor switch controlled by the relay,spring means for moving the armature to a position (or breaking thecircuit to the motor, a second switch, means for actuating said secondswitch, means operatively connecting the motor to said actuating meansfor the second switch for moving said actuating means a predeterminedamount in one direction, spring means ior moving said actuating meansfor the second switch in the opposite direction upon breaking of themotor circuit, and a latching device, cooperating with the relay andoperativeiy connected with the motor, for holding the armature inposition to break the motor circuit when short impulses are impressed onthe relay.

4. In a remote control device, in combination, a relay, an armaturetherefor, a motor, a motor switch controlled by said armature, springmeans for moving the armature to a position for opening the motorcircuit when the relay is deenergized; a spring operated latching levercooperating with the armature; a spring device; tumabie means, movablein one direction by the motor and in the opposite direction by saidspring device, for controlling said latching device; and switchactuating means, connected to the device to be remotely controlled, andconnected to said turnabie means, for actuation thereby.

5. In a remote control device, in combination, a relay, an armaturetherefor, a motor, a motor switch controlled by said armature, springmeans for moving the armature to a position for opening the motorcircuit when the relay is deenergized; a spring operated latching levercooperating with said armature, a switch, a spring device, meansrotatable in one direction by the motor and in the opposite direction bysaid spring device, for actuating said switch, a friction clutchassociated with said rotatable means, and means independent of themotor, for

quickly moving a portion oi the switch operating means past certainpositions.

RICCARD PUDELKO.

